ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
ICAR Short course on “Ecosystem service analysis in diversified coconut” concludes
Panaji, March 04, 2022
ICAR Sponsored a 10-day short course entitled “Ecosystem service analysis in diversified coconut and arecanut gardens” was held from 21 February 2022 to 02 March 2022, at ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa, Goa in hybrid mode with 13 participants attending through physical mode and 13 through online mode. The valedictory function of the training was held at the campus in hybrid mode on 2.03.2022 where, Dr. S. K. Chaudhari, DDG  graced the occasion as Chief Guest and gave a thought-provoking address on coconut and arecanut ecosystem services and management practices and the methods required to quantify and evaluate the ecosystem services.
Dr. Narendra Pratap Singh, Emeritus Scientist joined the function as Guest of honor and gave his remarks on kulagar gardens of Konkan coast and the intricacies in studying the complex agroecosystem. Dr Parveen Kumar Director, ICAR CCARI gave remarks on the course and explained the way forward on the studies on ecosystem services.
Dr. V Arunachalam Course Director gave a brief report of the course. Dr Paramesha V., Course Coordinator proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Uthappa AR Course coordinator compered the event.
During the event along with the participants, all scientists, administrative, finance, technical, supporting and project staff of ICAR-CCARI participated in the function.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding – World Breastfeeding Week 1st – 7th August
The Food and Nutrition Board, Ministry of Women and Child Development, is organizing a number of activities on the theme “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding” during the World Breastfeeding Week  being observed from 1st to 7th August 2019. The focus this year is on protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding.
Activities like Annaprashan Ceremony and Quiz competition on IYCF are being conducted in 30 States and Union Territories through 43 Community Food and Nutrition Extension Units of Food and Nutrition Board, involving the State functionaries of Health Department, Home Science Colleges, Medical Institutes, Universities, NGOs and other stakeholders.
The objectives of World Breastfeeding Week are:
- To create awareness among the parents about breastfeeding
- Encourage parents to adopt breastfeeding
- Creating awareness about the importance of initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, and adequate and appropriate complementary feeding
- Providing advocacy material about the importance of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is important because:
- It promotes better health for mothers and children alike.
- It prevents infections like diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections in early infancy and thus reduce infant mortality
- It decreases the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease and
- It protects infants from obesity-related illnesses, diabetes and increases the IQ.
The correct norms of infant and young child feeding are:
- Initiation of Breastfeeding within an hour of birth
- Exclusive breastfeeding for first six months of life i.e. only breast Milk ‘NO’ other milk, food, drink or water
- Appropriate and adequate complementary feeding from six months of age while continuing breastfeeding
- Continued breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond
The activities being organized during the World Breastfeeding Week are symposiums for lactating mothers and anganwadi workers to create awareness about the importance of breastfeeding, annaprashan ceremony of babies at anganwadi centres by collecting beneficiaries from adjoining anganwadi centres, competition on nutritious recipes and quiz competitions.
Apart from this, exhibitions, on nutrition, displaying low cost nutritious diets for infants and young children will also be organized at grassroots level. Awareness generation on healthy eating, maintenance of hygiene and sanitation and its importance will be held for pregnant and lactating mothers. In addition to this, awareness programmes will be held at the village level through puppet shows, skits, dance and drama, films, slide shows, AV Spots and rallies.
This important nutrition intervention will help in breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition and aid the Government to achieve National Nutrition Goals and Sustainable Development Goals  2030. According to WHO, increasing breastfeeding to near-international levels will help in saving more than 800 000 lives every year, the majority being children under 6 months.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Korea for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Korea for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.
The main objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are:
- To expand bilateral cooperation in tourism sector
- To increase Exchange of information and data related to tourism
- To encouraging cooperation between tourism stakeholders including Hotels and Tour Operators
- To establish exchange programmes for cooperation in Human Resources Development
- To encourage Investment in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors
- To exchange visits of Tour Operators / Media / Opinion Makers for promotion of two-way tourism
- To exchange experience in the areas of promotion, marketing destination development and management
- To encourage participation in travel fairs/exhibitions in each other's country and
- Promoting safe, honorable and sustainable tourism.
Background:
India and Korea have enjoyed a strong diplomatic and long economic relationship. The two parties now desiring to strengthen and further develop the established relationship for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.
Korea is one of the leading tourist generating markets for India from East Asia. Signing of the MoU with Korea will be instrumental in increasing arrival from this source market.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Biofuels has a huge role to play in the Energy Quadrilemma: Secretary MoP&NG
G20 countries can collaborate to achieve biofuels' full potential
Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Pankaj Jain highlighted the role of Biofuels and the importance of G20 countries collaboration in achieving the full potential of biofuels, for a cleaner and greener tomorrow. He was addressing the Global Biofuel Alliance Seminar, organised by MoP&NG on the side lines of the 3rd Energy Transition Working Group Meeting in Mumbai on 15th May 2023.
Shri Pankaj Jain, Secretary , in his keynote address, focused on the untapped potential in biofuels and its increasing appeal from clean energy transition, wide-ranging application, techno-commercial viability, and financing standpoints.

Secretary Petroleum also laid emphasis on the importance of biofuels in boosting economic prosperity, energy security, access, and affordability while being sustainable and supporting decarbonization. “Technology advancements provide multiple biofuel feedstock options and further cooperation across G20 nations can help in further development of the Global Bio-fuels market and realize biofuels’ full potential”, added Shri Jain.
The all-important seminar had a gathering of Chairpersons and executives from several Oil & Gas majors and leaders from numerous international energy organizations like IEA, Total Energies, Shell, Lanzatech, SHV Energy Futuria elaborated on pertinent technologies, use cases, partnerships, and business potential. The forum widely acknowledged the expanding bio-fuel relevance .
The seminar witnessed whole-hearted participation and encouragement from the Oil & Gas Industry, international organizations such as IEA and Biofuture platform, representatives of G20 countries, industry bodies such as CII and ASSOCHAM, major automobile manufacturers, producers, and significant technology providers well as their associations.
Ministry of Rural Development
Promotion of Entrepreneurship Activities in the Rural areas
590 Rural Self Employment Training Institutes , promoted by Banks, are functioning across the country extending skill and entrepreneurship development training programmes to rural poor youth to facilitate them to employ themselves by commencing self-employment units/activities. This Ministry is reimbursing cost of training imparted by the RSETIs to the rural poor youth through the State Rural Livelihoods Missions , besides providing infrastructure grants to the Institutions. Since inception, a total of 41.93 lakh youth have been trained and 29.34 lakh youth have been settled up-to 30th June, 2022.
The Ministry is also implementing Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme  as a sub-scheme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission  with the objective to help the rural poor  to set-up enterprises at the village level in non-agricultural sectors. The operational unit of the project is Block. A maximum of 2,400 enterprises can be supported in one Block with the approved funds. The maximum budget for one Block under SVEP is Rs. 650.00 lakhs. A total of 2,08,594 enterprises across 29 States/UTs have been supported so far.
A short study on “Impact of RSETI Training on Repayment Behaviour of Bank Borrowers” was conducted by the National Academy of RUDSETI, Bengaluru in July 2020.The major findings are as follows:
- 85% of loan proposals received by the Banks from RSETIs are getting sanctioned.
- Around 95% of loans given to RSETI trainees are regular in repayment.
The mid-term review of the SVEP was done during the year 2018-19 by Quality Council of India ; the key findings are as follows:
- 82% of entrepreneurs across the blocks reported being from SC, ST and OBC categories.
- 75% of the enterprises were owned and managed by women.
- 57% of the total household income is through the enterprises promoted under SVEP.
Under RSETIs, 29.34 lakh youth have been settled, so far. Under SVEP, 2,08,594 enterprises have been set up up-to 30th June, 2022.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles loss of lives due to bus accident in Agra, Uttar Pradesh
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives due to the bus accident in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
“Pained by the bus accident in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured recover fast. The State Government and local administration are providing all possible assistance to the affected”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Extraction of Groundwater
Ground Water Resource Assessment 2020 conducted by the Central Ground Water Board  in collaboration with States/UTs indicates that total groundwater extraction for domestic and industrial purposes accounts around 11% of total extraction  in the country.
Groundwater users are not required to register with local authorities. Further, as per regulation guidelines dated 24 Sep 2022  individual consumers in both rural and urban areas are exempted from seeking No Objection Certificate  from appropriate authority for extraction of groundwater for drinking and domestic uses. However, residential apartments and group housing societies located in urban areas are required to obtain NOC from Central Ground Water authority  or the State regulating authorities.
The primary aim of the guidelines is to only allow drilling of wells based on the dynamic ground water situation of the area, availability of alternate water sources, efficient utilization of water resources, restricting extraction in water stressed areas, future impact of groundwater extraction etc. Further, the guidelines supplement other initiatives to reduce over dependence on groundwater. The provisions of the guidelines and its implementation will help in better regulation of groundwater extraction and promote more sustainable management of groundwater resources.
This information was given by the Minister of State, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Decisions of Empowered Group of Officers 10 constituted under the Disaster Management Act 2005 on Public Grievances and Suggestions to ensure timely implementation of COVID 19 Response Activities
The Empowered Group of Officers 10 constituted under the Disaster Management Act 2005 on Public Grievances and Suggestions to ensure timely implementation of COVID 19 Response Activities met on March 31, 2020 and took the following decisions to identify problem areas and delineate policy, formulate plans and strategize operations and take necessary steps for time bound implementation of decisions. The meeting was attended by Shri Amit Khare, Secretary HRD, Dr. Kshtrapati Shivaji Secretary DARPG, Shri Ashutosh Agnihotri, Joint Secretary MHA, Smt. Meera Mohanty Director Cabinet Secretariat and Senior PMO Officials.
Public Grievances:
In pursuance of this objective the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances shall set up a technical team comprising of 5 officials for preparation of daily reports on COVID 19, comprising of a summary and list of suggestions and grievances received/ disposal status on the CPGRAMS portal.
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances would lay down guidelines for all Central Ministries/ Departments and State Governments for improved monitoring of COVID 19 Public Grievance cases. Every Department/ Ministry shall appoint designated Nodal Officers for handling COVID 19 Public Grievances, the name, phone number and email ID of the designated Nodal Officer shall be placed on the website of Department/ Ministry.Every Department/ Ministry website shall have a separate field in CPGRAMS to cater to COVID 19 grievances for more focused tracking, monitoring, and disposal of public grievances. Every Department/ Ministry shall closely monitor COVID 19 public grievance redressal on their respective Dashboards. In Departments/ Ministries where CPGRAMS version 7.0 has been implemented, mapping of the grievances shall be done to the last mile grievance officers.Considering the urgency and importance of redressal of COVID 19 grievances, it shall be incumbent on every Ministry/ Department to prioritize these grievances at the earliest preferably within a timeline of 3 days provide redressal.
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances would further issue similar guidelines for adoption by State Governments.
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances would expeditiously finalize the COVID 19 National Preparedness Survey 2020 in which 266 IAS officers who have served as Assistant Secretaries in Government of India in the last 5 years have responded to a 23 point questionnaire to identify the hot spots district wise and adopt suggestions for improved preparedness.
Suggestions on COVID 19:
The suggestions received in Government shall be collated by MyGov.in. MyGov has received over 46000 suggestions and they would be duly processed for implementation.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Shri Kiren Rijiju meets IPU President, proposes World Youth Parliament to promote fitness activities
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju met the President of Inter Parliamentary Union,  Geneva Mr Duarte Pacheco to discuss about corporation among the international parliamentarians, especially in the field of Youth Affairs and Sports today in New Delhi.
Speaking about their meeting Shri Rijiju said, "We discussed about India's Fit India Movement, Yoga and how we have been able to start certain sports-related activities in the country in a controlled manner despite COVID 19."
Shri Rijiju further added, "I have also requested the IPU Chairman to arrange a World Youth Parliamentarian meeting where the younger Parliamentarians can come together and promote some fitness activities during the youth exchange of different countries. Mr Pacheco was very enthusiastic about the idea."
Secretary , Sports Shri Ravi Mittal and Secretary, Youth Affairs Ms. Usha Sharma were also present during the meeting.
Ministry of Power
NHPC registers 10% rise in Standalone Net Profit for the Half Year ended 30th September, 2021
NHPC Limited has registered an increase of 10% on standalone net profit during the half year ended 30th September, 2021. Profit for the current half year stands at Rs. 2217 crore against Rs. 2021 crore during the corresponding previous half year.
NHPC’s share in Consolidated net profit for the current half year is Rs. 2243 crore which is 14% higher than the net profit of Rs.1960 crore for the corresponding previous half year.
The NHPC Board approved the Financial Results for the Quarter and Half Year ended 30th September, 2021 in their meeting held on 11th November 2021.
NHPC Limited is India’s premier Hydropower Company. NHPC’s total installed capacity is 7071 MW of renewable power  through its 24 power stations including 1520 MW through subsidiary. NHPC is presently engaged in the construction of 9 projects  aggregating to a total installed capacity of 5999 MW. In addition, 15 Projects with aggregate capacity of 10787 MW are under different stages of clearances. NHPC is currently in an aggressive mode of expansion and has pan-India plans to expand its solar and wind power portfolio along with its core business of hydropower development.
Ministry of Finance
PPSC Chairman inaugurates CAG Chandigarh’s Swachhta Abhiyaan
On the occasion of weeklong celebrations of Audit Diwas, a Swachhata Abhiyan is being held today in the Audit Pool Colony, Sector 41 & 42 and Defence Colony, Sector 32 under the tutelage of various field offices of Comptrollor and Auditor General of India situated in Chandigarh.
Sh Jagbans Singh, Chariman, Punjab Publice Service Commission inaugurated the one day drive of cleanliness and urged the employees of the department to take care of its surrounding and environment. He stressed that India is in dire need of a cleanliness drive like Swachhata Abhiyan to eradicate dirtiness as its very important for the overall development of citizens in terms of health and well-being.
Ms Nazli J. Shayin, Accountant General  Punjab, reiterated that the aim of this swachhata abhiyan is to generate awareness among the citizens about sanitation and its association with health. She stressed that when we will dispose of waste properly and recycled the waste, it will develop the country as a whole.
During the drive, Sh Jagbans Singh, Chariman, Punjab Publice Service Commission, Ms Nazli J. Shayin, Accountant General  Punjab, Sh. Shailendra Vikram Singh, Principal Accountant General , Haryana and sh venkatnathan Pr Director Defence Services also planted a tree sapling to make the environment cleaner.
Former Deputy Mayor Sh Hardeep Singh, area councillor of sector 41 and Sh Jasbir Singh Bunty, area councilor of sector 42 were also present in their respective wards during the swachhata abhiyan and apprised the stakeholders of necessity to protect our environment for ourselves and future generation.
Employees of the colony and residents of sectors actively participated in this drive with much enthusiasm and cleaned the environment in and around the societies. Twenty bins of garbage for dry and wet waste were also put up in various places in the colony, so that the people don’t litter the waste in open.
EAC-PM
India and Norway launch initiative to combat Marine Pollution
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change today signed a letter of Intent establishing the India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative together with the Norwegian ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In January, 2019, the Indian and Norwegian governments agreed to work more closely on oceans by signing a MoU and establishing the India-Norway Ocean Dialogue during the Norwegian Prime Minister’s visit to India in January.
A joint Task Force on Blue Economy with government officials, researchers and experts as well as private sector was established to develop sustainable solutions within strategic areas of the blue economy, such as maritime and marine sector in addition to energy sector.
In partnership, Norway and India will share experiences and competence, and collaborate on efforts to develop clean and healthy oceans, sustainable use of ocean resources and growth in the blue economy.
Both the governments launched the first Joint initiative under this new partnership. The India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative will combat marine pollution, which is one of the fastest growing environmental concerns.
The Joint Initiative was signed formally by Mr. Nils RagnarKamsvag, Ambassador to India, Embassy of Norway and Mr. Anil Kumar Jain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change , Govt. of India.
Ms. Marianne Hagen, Deputy Minister, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. VidarHelgesen, Special Envoy for Oceans, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ratan P Watal, Member Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister & Principal Advisor, Niti Aayog, Govt. of India, Dr. M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, Mr. A GiteshSarma, Secretary , Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India and Dr. SumitaMisra, Joint Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister, Govt. of India were present at the signing of the Joint Initiative.
Through a range of implementing partners, this initiative will seek to support local governments in implementing sustainable waste management practices, develop systems for collecting and analyzing information about sources and scope of marine pollution and improve private sector investment. Support will also be directed towards beach clean-up efforts, awareness raising campaigns and pilot project using plastic waste as fuel substitution for coal in cement production and developing frameworks for deposit schemes.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah pays tributes to Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas
“I bow before Babasaheb on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas, who gave the nation a futuristic and all-encompassing Constitution that paved the way for development, prosperity and equality in the country”
“Following the footsteps of Bababsaheb, the Modi Government is committed to work for the welfare of deprived sections who have been excluded from the development process for decades”
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. BR Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. In a tweet, Shri Amit Shah said, “I bow before Babasaheb on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas, who gave the nation a futuristic and all-encompassing Constitution that paved the way for development, prosperity and equality in the country. Following the footsteps of Bababsaheb, the Modi Government is committed to work for the welfare of deprived sections who have been excluded from the development process for decades.”